by David Cohen

B-Skinz Introduces Meggings for Spring 2013
Leggings for men are already a hit among celebs across the globe

Men wearing leggings?  Think again. Remember Robin Hood and his merry men? Yes, there wore leggings,, and they made a fashion statement long time ago. This spring, B-Skinz is introducing an exciting and colorful line of form-fitting meggings, perfect for the fashion-forward guy— aka leggings for males.  And guess who is wearing them? Yes, Justin Bieber, Russell Brand and Lenny Kravitz are male celebrities who have embraced this hot fashion trend. 


And it's more than just fashion, Men's anatomy demands more support and ventilation, and wearing the proper outfit is essential , especially  for sports activities. You are in need of durable and comfortable attire, and meggings are the perfect answer to all your "needs." They just hug your skin so it keeps everything in its right place. They also  keep away moisture from getting damp and they are free from any discomfort caused by sweating.

The new B-Skinz meggings are made with the company’s signature spandex blend that is form-fitting while still comfortable and breathable. The line will be available in several colors, including black, navy, red and gray, as well as bold feline, leopard, zebra and psychedelic jungle patterns. With sizes ranging from small to extra-large and priced at only $29.99 per pair, the new meggings from B-Skinz will appeal to every man who’s expressive and outgoing.

“Our meggings are fashionable, bold and hip — and they are perfect for any man who wants to make a statement with his style,” said B-Skinz co-founder Carolyn Sammarro. “They can be dressed up for a night on the town or walking through Central Park in NYC, and are comfortable enough to wear to the gym.”

So what does the fashion world think of the meggings trend? According to several fashion experts, it’s a trend that’s expected to continue to grow as men become more daring with what they wear. And, this spring, men can turn to B-Skinz to flaunt their own personal style.

B-Skinz' Carolyn Sammarro and Stacy Sorrentino were two stay-at-home moms from northern New Jersey who together grew their fast-expanding line of comfortable, flattering, and crazy-colorful Nylon Spandex fashion wear and spandex sports apparel styles for men, girls, boys and women. Sold online at www.bskinz.com and at select sporting goods stores throughout the east coast.

To view the B-Skinz Meggings, click here: http://bskinz.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30955

by David cohen

Nufoot are a new type of footwear and they should be great for home, travel and at work. The company claims that they are good  virtually for any indoor and  outdoor settings where a rugged shoe is not necessary.

Nufoot is made from sturdy neoprene and they are ergonomic in design and have anti-skid soles. They are water-proof, and they look comfortable and  stretchy , but I didn't find it to be true. It was tight, and after wearing them for a 30 minutes, I had to take them off my feet , because my feet were hurting. Maybe my feet are just way too big…   My shoe size is 9.5-10. Maybe they could be comfortable footwear if they fit your feet, and they should  allow people to simultaneously enjoy the stability of walking barefoot, For me, wearing just socks is way more comfortable, Am I wrong?…  I guess you will have to find out for yourself.  They comes in multiple sizes, colors, and they are unisex  Available for $9.99/pair at www.nufoot.com.

“L.A. FROCK STARS,” a new 6-part TV series launching tomorrow night (Thursday, March 7) at 8:00 pm ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel in its weekly time slot, focuses on the engaging and vastly knowledgeable Hollywood vintage expert extraordinaire Doris Raymond and her boutique, THE WAY WE WORE. For her, vintage is an addiction that she's turned from a hobby into a thriving business. As she says, "I invest in the frock market, instead of the stock market."

“LA FROCK STARS” offers an eye-popping window into 20th century fashion: with racks of clothes that embody the essence of every decade in the past century. Featuring in-store coverage as well as Doris’ treks across the country for more vintage, the series captures top stylists and celebs who visit The Way We Wore in the quest for the perfect dress, as well as the must-see pursuit of the ultimate vintage items.

L.A. FROCK STARS: VINTAGE IS THE NEW BLACK – Premieres Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT  - Vintage is the new black in Hollywood during the 2012 Award Season, and Doris Raymond and her team of vintage fashion specialists stock up for the anticipated demand on their unique high fashion boutique. Burlesque artist Dita von Teese, a strong devotee of vintage couture, stops by the store to try out a number of stunning dresses and explains her fascination with vintage couture. Also, costume designer Lou Eyrich comes in to The Way We Wore to buy some threads for an upcoming episode of the series, Glee. 

L.A. FROCK STARS: AWARDS SEASON – Premieres Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT - The Way We Wore® is inundated with celebrities and their stylists seeking unique and glamorous dresses to wear on the red carpet. Doris’s exquisite selection of vintage clothing is well known by Hollywood’s glitterati, but Doris faces fierce competition from the world’s top designers to dress the stars during awards season. The store helps out a desperate stylist for an up and coming star whose gowns from Italy have been stuck in customs, while Linda Ramone, wife of the late Johnny Ramone, looks for the perfect dress for the Grammy Awards. Doris’s ‘80s-mad in-store stylist Jacsmeen Bush helps the girlfriend of an Oscar nominated filmmaker choose a dress for the ceremony, while Doris scrambles to accommodate last minute requests from the stylists for two of the music industry’s biggest names. 

L.A. FROCK STARS: QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL – Premieres Thursday, March 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT – To find the Holy Grail, the ultimate vintage piece, Doris and store manager Sarah Bergman travel to Texas, the home of incredible vintage treasure troves. They visit Vintage Martini where many red carpet dresses can be found and then the Antique Elegance Show, where the theme is 1940s big band era. Their big score is found in a back room at the show where they uncover an original Christian Dior jacket from the late ‘40s designed by the man himself. A valuable and rare item, the dealer found it rolled up in the bottom of a closet. The piece, which would inspire any major designer could retail for $10,000, a true Holy Grail of vintage fashion.

L.A. FROCK STARS: IF THIS DRESS COULD TALK – Premieres Thursday, March 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT – Sharon Stanley, a vocalist with The Glenn Miller Orchestra, stops by The Way We Wore® to sell some of her vintage designer gowns. Sharon has worn these gowns on stage, and she shares some of these memories with Doris. In-store stylist Kyle Blackmon helps up-and-coming singer/songwriter Alexandra Starlight find the perfect glittering costume for her upcoming performance at South By Southwest (SXSW). Doris and store manager Sarah Bergman go to an estate sale, where they uncover some unusual garments including a daring ‘60s mini wedding dress. 

L.A. FROCK STARS: THE BUSINESS OF VINTAGE – Premieres Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT - Stylist and editor and chief of the influential JCreport.com Jason Campbell arrives in the store with Shauna Mei founder and CEO of the online shopping destination AHAlife.com, looking for a party dress for Shauna. Doris wows them with pieces from Versace, Fabrice and Oleg Cassini. Gregory Westbrook and Nick Fouquet, co-founders of the super tendy Westbrook Hats, arrive in the store looking for inspiration for their next collection. Jascmeen pulls out a selection of hats so Doris can show different types of hat making techniques. Sharing knowledge about the history of fashion is a big driver for Doris. Shelly Lyn, who has an excellent eye for ‘50s vintage, pulls a selection of dresses for actress Debi Mazar (Entourage, Dancing With The Stars) who finds the perfect sassy number to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary.

L.A. FROCK STARS: VINTAGE FASHION HUNTER – Premieres Thursday, April 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT - Jen Rade, considered one of the great stylists in Los Angeles, is in the store looking for something in black velvet for a client.  To feed the many designers and stylists who flock to her vintage design store, Doris has honed her vintage fashion hunting skill and a key destination every year is New York City’s Augusta Auction - one of the few U.S. auction houses that specializes in vintage clothing, rare textiles and costume jewelry. Doris also has a show room in New York and it’s time to show her sales assistant Kyle, whose dream is to make it big as a stylist in New York, her own little East Coast Empire.

NHNZ co-produced L.A. FROCK STARS with Smithsonian Channel and BBC Worldwide. NHNZ Executive Producer is Judith Curran. Executive Producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle and Charles Poe.

ABOUT 
Smithsonian Channel is owned by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution.  Its programs are largely inspired by the assets of the world’s largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America’s historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.

by Mona Elyafi
photography by Robert Benson

We all know Lauren Bedford Russell as one of the cast members of Showtime's top-performing, unscripted series The Real L Word. However, the reality show only captures a tiny slice of Lauren's life, pigeonholing her into the "L'amanda" moniker, without revealing whom the young woman truly is. 

While most reality TV stars, such as Bethenny Frankel, Nene Leakes, and the Kardashians have successfully parlayed their celebrity into showbiz careers or other big buck businesses, Lauren Russell’s entrepreneurial expansion started long before her stint on reality TV.

Off camera, Lauren is not only an accomplished woman and savvy business entrepreneur; she is also a fervent activist. Lauren is devoted to inspiring others to make a difference through her artistic craft of jewelry design.

However, anyone who knows Lauren wouldn’t expect anything less––certainly not with a pedigree like hers. Few people know this, but Lauren Bedford Russell comes from a family of notables indeed. She is the daughter of economist Richard Russell, who for over 50 years wrote the Dow Theory Letters - the legendary news letters about the stock market. Lauren is the granddaughter of Max Lerner, a well reputed author and syndicated columnist said to be one of the great minds of our time; and she is the sister of accomplished actress Betsy Russell, better known as "Jill Tuck," the ex-wife of the Jigsaw Killer in the Saw movie series.

Lauren earned a degree in Business and Gemological studies, and also spent a year sketching for the Ivanka Trump FineJewelry line. Since then,Lauren has been more than simply romancing the stones. Launched in 2012, Lauren delved into high-end jewelry design under the marquee of her own company Lyon Fine Jewelry. Making a lot of noise since its fledging beginnings in 2011, Lauren continues to set the standard in the world of luxury jewelry. Her designs, with their unique unsurpassed sophistication, style, and uncompromising quality, fuse ’70s rock and ’90s New York sophistication.

At the helm of Lyon Fine Jewelry, Lauren’s goal is not only to stress the importance of accessorizing, but also to evoke a deep sense of identity. Her striking designs are apparent in each of her pieces, which is what gives clients a signature look. Centering on black diamonds, black jade,  and black rhodium-plated silver and gold, her inventive designs are meant for all genders.

Lauren prides herself on using only conflict-free gemstones, and produces all her jewelry in New York City and Los Angeles. The result is a jewelry collection which impeccably reflects her edgy, avant-garde style making her one of L.A.’s most talked-about new comers to the jewelry scene. It's no surprise celebrities and fashion trendsetters around the world, notably E!'s very own Fashion Police host Kelly Osbourne, adorn her creations.

Lauren isn’t only breaking the mold with her designs—she’s also using her jewelry to be in the vanguard of social activism. Aside from her high end jewelry, LYON Fine Jewelry is also well-known for its popular celebrity endorsed commemorative bracelets called the "Equality" and "Rock The Vote." In an effort to raise awareness and give back, proceeds from both of these bracelets are donated to causes that are close to her heart.

In an effort to help break the traditional view of marriage, Lauren launched her Equality Bracelet collection with 20% of the proceeds going to Friendfactor Foundation. This organization is committed to rallying straight allies to take simple actions for historic results to end the legal inequalities that gays and lesbians face in employment, housing, and marriage.

LYON’s 2013 collection includes four different Equality bracelets, each named after a city that has been crucial in the gay rights movement: Stonewall, Castro, WeHo, and Vere. Like all of LYON Fine Jewelry’s pieces, these bracelets are unisex and share the common slogan “We Are All Created Equal.” Celebrities rocking their equality bracelets include Adam Lambert, Jason Mraz, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Perez Hilton, Cyndi Lauper, Wilmer Valderrama, and Lance Bass.

Artistically creative, engaging, and entertaining, this La Jolla, CA native is making her mark on the entertainment business as a savvy busines woman, a sassy television personality, and fine jewelry de- signer. Lauren Bedford Russell is a woman who is not defined by the "L'amanda" stigma The Real L Word created. She is a lesbian business entrepreneur whose professional success is not dependent on the popularity of the reality show, but rather made through hard work, dedication and clear understanding that accessories can help make a statement beyond fashion.

With features on MTV’s Style, Curve Magazine, People.com, Coco Perez, Riviera Magazine, and others, LYON has quickly blossomed into one of the leaders in jewelry innovation and design, and has quickly become one of the most sought after jewelry lines in the country today.

For more information about LYON Fine Jewelry, visit www.LyonFineJewelry.com.

by Colin McDonald 
model: Voni Hayes •  photography by Dave Ozmon 

One thing I love about the fall season is the ability to be able to layer and show off all your great accessories.  Aside from a scarf, I absolutely am never without an attractive pair of shades.  It completes a look and sometimes gives it that pop it needs for you to get noticed.

With that said, I thought it would be fun to pick out some of the hottest sunglasses of the season and show them off in a great editorial titled “Shady Lady.” 

For more information visit www.colintmcdonald.com and www.daveozmonphotography.com 

Frill Seekers a lingerie event at Nordstrom stores will take place on Friday, October 19th, and Saturday, October 20th. Lingerie stylists will be waiting for you, and they will help you find the best lingerie looks for your size, shape and style.

So, treat yourself to the hottest lingerie of the season,  and get a FREE GIFT with a purchase of $50 for any bra or panty while supplies last. For every bra purchased from a participating brand at the event, Nordstrom will donate $2 to Susan G Komen for the Cure, the largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the United States.

Nordstrom stores guarantee a combined minimum contribution of $200,000 to the Komen for the Cure through these events.

Like many of today’s specialty underwear, TUKZ features a 3-D pouch for comfort. But the primary defining innovation is how the underwear improves business attire, says Darnell Jones founder and president of TUKZ Undergarments, LLC.

Jones developed TUKZ in response to his own frustration “the idea came to me organically – by necessity,” he says. “As a corporate manager, it’s important to me to maintain a professional appearance. I was having to tuck my shirt back in dozens of times a day, every time I stood up, at the office. Once the clips are attached to your shirt, you no longer have to worry about that.”

The underwear comes equipped with four understated elastic straps and clips, which secure the bottom of the shirt. Constructed of polyester and Spandex for a firm, smooth and stylish fit, TUKZ serves as the foundation for every uniform, business suit and casual style that demands a polished presentation. TUKZ are available in sizes from small to triple-extra large for $30 a pair at wwwTUKZ.com.